A New Instrument Blossoms – Friday Concert at the RCS

BBC Radio 3 presented Turning Points – “A New Instrument Blossoms” at the Stevenson Hall at the RCS at 1 pm today.

“The concert featured Kari Kriikku on Clarinet playing with the Heath String Quartet. artists performing works composed at a time of great musical change. This first concert pairs the remarkable Finnish virtuoso Kari Kriikku with the exciting Heath String Quartet in a programme exploring the development of the clarinet, including the Instrument defining Quintet by Mozart.”

Kari Ktiikku

I love to take advantage of these amazing concerts and there was a mild buzz in the theatre as I took my seat.

There was a slight air of tension in the audience as we were asked to be very quiet. One poor lady in front of me had to stifle a cough! Perhaps they should offer a boiled sweet on entry as they did at the ballet that I went to see at the ROH recently.

The audience eased in to the performance though and you could feel the anticipation building in the room. The concert was excellent and my favourite piece was the ‘Babsi’s Decision’ by Eisel. It was lovely, flamboyant and demonstrated some playful question and answer interaction between the first violin and clarinet, this section sounded to me like playful bird calls.

There a was a gritty feel to the music and the clarinet player, Kari Kriikku, was experimenting with different colours and techniques, he even involved hand gestures during his playing.

Heath Quartet

The Heath Quartet were vibrant and full of energy especially in the canonic sections of the Mozart Fugue when they crest a wave through their bodies and sound. They had amazing connection between the group and all looked extremely happy to be there playing which is most enjoyable for an audience! Really glad I went, great for the mind 🙂 and provided a lift to my Friday!

just like the parts of taste – presentation, texture, aroma and taste combine for a meal – music benefits from the posture and confidence and passion of the performers. It lets the audiance connect at another level.

No matter the genre, the instrument, the music or the audience, when the melodies and harmonies hit their mark it’s a beautiful conjoining of the arts and the soul.

“…no pharmaceutical product could ever equal the rush you get when the band hits that groove; the people are dancin’, and shoutin’, and swayin’; and the house is rockin’!” –Dan Ackroyd, “The Blues Brothers”

Hello Franck,
I sing Italian and German repertoire and just a little French, the Flower Duet (Duo Des Fleurs) is one of my favourites from Lakme, I know Adieu, Notre Petite Table from Manon and Chanson Triste by Duparc.
What discipline is Roxane studying? I’m studying too in my second year 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte

First of all. I would like to thank you for following my Hawaii knits blog. Though I’m afraid I’ve been knitting so much I’ve not taken the time to blog about it. (is something wrong with that statement? 🙂 )
I thought I would drop into see who you were and what you are about. You are someone who would make their parents so proud they would bust the buttons off their coat with pride.

I enjoyed your videos and listening to you sing. Beautiful! I will now follow your blog as I really want to keep up with your career. Again thank you for the follow and much success.

Hi Dan, I hope that you get a chance to have a listen to the pieces he played I wonder if there is a YouTube version? If I find one i will let you know. He demonstrated such charisma during the performance! Just brilliant.